The New Experience Newspaper at 9: Demand Immediate Action to Unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy

The New Experience Newspaper at 9: Demand Immediate Action to Unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy

The New Experience Newspaper has called for urgent, coordinated and practical action to unlock Nigeria’s vast blue economy potential as a pathway to a $1 trillion economy, job creation and food security.

The call was the central resolution at the newspaper’s 5th Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, to mark its 9th anniversary. The event had as theme: “Blue Economy in Action: Financing, Innovation and Policy for Nigeria’s Maritime Future.”

The event drew regulators, operators, financiers, security agencies and media leaders including officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), SIFAX Group, Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Nigeria Customs Service, Maritime Police Command, and Royal Fathers.

Chairman Opens: From Discouragement to a National Voice

The Chairman of the Occasion was Chief Chamberlain Oyibo the former Group Managing Director of NNPC. Representing the Chairman, Chief Ibitrokoemi Seddon (Alabo) declared the lecture open and narrated the humble beginnings of the newspaper. He recalled how Prince Benson Davies came with the vision to start The New Experience and was initially discouraged because of the roughness of journalism, but his doggedness, resilience and determination prevailed.

“From that small beginning, The New Experience has become a respected voice, reporting the truth without fear or favour. Prince is indeed a covenant child. What God has ordained, no man can stop. Chairman asked me to specially tell you, Prince, that he is very proud of you,” Chief Seddon stated.

He said Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline would remain potential without action, and identified three action pillars: deliberate maritime financing including a Blue Economy Development Fund, innovation through smart ports and single window, and consistent, investor-friendly policy.

Publisher: Nine Years of Courage and Credibility

In his welcome address, Publisher and CEO, Prince Benson Davies, described September 24, 2026 as historic, marking nine years since the newspaper’s voyage began on May 17, 2017.

“It marks exactly nine years of resilience, of truth-telling, of consistency, and of service to the maritime industry and to Nigeria,” Davies said, recalling how the first three lectures were held at the modest hall of Presken Hotels, Ikeja, and how at the height of COVID-19 in 2020, the newspaper hosted over 800 guests when many organisations were scaling down.

He thanked lead partners – NPA, NIMASA, SIFAX Group and Widescope International Logistics Limited – and their image managers Mr. IK. Oyemakara of NPA, Mr. Edward Osagie of NIMASA, and Mr. Muyiwa Akande of SIFAX Group.

He also specially appreciated SAHCO PLC MD/CEO Mrs. Adenike Aboderin and GM Corporate Communications and Strategy Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia; NPERA and its Head of Public Relations Madam Rebecca Adamu, The Nigeria Customs Area Comptrollers of Airport Command, PTML, DPO Apapa Division CSP Kamal Momoh a.k.a Jagungakun; AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, FSI, MSPSP of Maritime Police Command; Princess Adenike Adegoke, Director, Lagos Operations, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Mr. Abiola Peters, General Manager, Radio 103.5FM; Mrs. Maria Ihuoma, General Manager, Metro 97.7FM; Mr. Abdulwahab Akoshile, General Manager, Bond 92.9FM; Alhaji Nurudeen Yahya (Chief Imam), Pastor Dr. Bukky Bright; Pastor S.O. Akindubi, CEO of CASAMOL Commercial Services; Bro. Ayibo Roberts Josephus, Mr Inuwa Ben Kurahson, Oniyide Segunmade, Chief IB. Seddon of Prowwith Integrated Services; Madam Obinma Obianuju (Obi-Aku), CEO Supreme Master Limited; and Mr. Okaka Ferdinand.

Finally Amb. Dr. Dorcas Daniel Masu Bature, and her husband, Dr Jonathan Musa Bature thank you for your support for the new experience Newspaper and its event all these years.

Keynote: Blue Economy is Now, Not Tomorrow – Amb. Dr. Dorcas Bature

Keynote Speaker, Amb. Dr. Dorcas Masu Daniel Bature, Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee and Chairperson, CILT Lagos Chapter, said Nigeria, with its coastline, strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea and large youth population, has failed to translate natural advantage into prosperity.

She decried that Nigeria still spends billions importing fish despite vast aquatic resources, making fish unaffordable for households, and urged investment in fisheries and aquaculture to create jobs and guarantee food security.

“The blue economy is Nigeria’s frontier now, not tomorrow,” Bature declared, listing policy, funding and innovation as three pillars that must work together.

On funding, she said Nigeria’s problem is not lack of money but management and allocation, calling for transparent, merit-based access to finance for genuine operators and youth aged 18-28 to develop technology-driven solutions, and demanding that the proposed $1 billion innovation fund reach real beneficiaries. She advocated a sovereign blue bond to finance port modernisation, cold-chain facilities and fish terminals.

She called for a coordinated regulatory framework that clearly defines roles of NIMASA, NPA and NIWA to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, attract investors and boost revenue; digitisation of port operations, single window, rail expansion and intermodal transport to reduce cargo dwell time and cost; sustained investment in maritime security through the Deep Blue Project and collaboration with regional navies; and collective action against coastal erosion, oil spills, plastic pollution and waste dumping.

Panel Discussion: From Potential to Prosperity

The Panel Discussion, moderated by Prince Benson Davies, Publisher of The New Experience Newspaper, interrogated why Nigeria’s blue economy contributes less than 5% to GDP despite 853km of coastline. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy headed by His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, but said creation alone is not enough – action must follow.

Key resolutions from the panel:

A. On Financing: Panelists agreed the biggest challenge is high-interest, short-term lending by Nigerian banks who fear maritime risks. They called for finally disbursing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) after over 20 years of waiting, and establishing a dedicated, low-interest Blue Economy Development Fund. SIFAX Group was cited as a success story of resilience and strategic financing that younger investors should emulate.

B. On Innovation: Stakeholders agreed Nigerian ports remain among the most expensive globally due to manual processes. They urged immediate implementation of National Single Window, digital clearance and port automation to cut costs and dwell time. On green shipping and decarbonisation, panelists warned Nigeria risks being left behind if it fails to prepare for global clean energy transition. They also called for tech-driven jobs in fishing, aquaculture, boat building and coastal tourism for youths.

C. On Policy: Panelists said multiplicity of agencies – NPA, NIMASA, Shippers’ Council, Customs, Navy, NIWA – with overlapping functions is killing efficiency. They advocated harmonisation under one strong, stable, investor-friendly National Blue Economy Policy that gives investors confidence. As immediate advice to President Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, they demanded policy stability and implementation of communiques, not just talk.

Summarising, Prince Benson Davies said: “On Financing – we need deliberate, low-interest maritime funds and we must finally disburse the CVFF. On Innovation – we must embrace digitalization, single window and green shipping or we will be left behind. On Policy – we need one strong, stable, investor-friendly National Blue Economy Policy. The message is simple: Nigeria’s blue economy cannot remain a potential on paper. It must be in action.”

Dignitaries, Cultural Display and Awards

The ceremony was coloured by a cultural dance performance by the Tiv Lagos Dancing Group led by Sarah Doose, with members Mrs. Unalagh Rita and Miss Nguemo Hungwa, showcasing Tiv cultural heritage.

Dignitaries present included Chief IB. Seddon, CEO Prowwith Integrated Services; who represented the chairman of the occasion Chief Chamberlain Oyibo former Group managing director of NNPC, Dr. Jonathan Bature Musa, NDC senatorial candidate for Plateau North and husband of the keynote speaker Amb Dorcas Daniel Masu Bature, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, FSI, MSPSP; Mrs. Maria Ihuoma; Mr. Abiola Peters; NIMASA staff delegation who came to represent the Agency; Awardees including Mr Roberts Ayibo Josephus, Mr Inuwa Ben Kurahson, Oniyide Segunmade, and others from NPA, SAHCO PLC, SIFAX Group and NPERA; the AIG Maritime police Command representatives, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Lion Oyin Frances Adegbite who fondly calls the Publisher “My Uncle”; the PRO of the Maritime Command, ASP Adebayo Rasheed and other officers.

The event ended with awards to distinguished maritime personalities and organisations for their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.

By Our Correspondent